College football: Michigan changed goals under Carr

COMMENTARY

Winning the national championship changed the perspective of former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.

Winning a national championship in 1997 did more than change Lloyd Carr’s life.

It changed a philosophy within University of Michigan football.

“That year had a dramatic impact,” Carr said. “It gave confidence to the belief that you’ve done something that changes forever your goals.”

An attitude instilled by coach Bo Schembechler was altered.

“Until then, I was a firm believer that you don’t worry about a national championship,” Carr said. “Win the Big Ten, and the other will take care of itself. Once we won, it changed everything. The players now knew it was possible. Since then, we always set the goal of winning a national championship.”

That sort of monumental change within one of the bastions of college football was a significant part of the resume that earned Carr, who will turn 67 later this month, a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

He will be among 23 former coaches and players enshrined next weekend.

Over 13 seasons (1995-2007) as the boss at Michigan, the records scratch the surface — 122-40, five Big Ten titles, 5-4 vs. Notre Dame, 10-3 against Michigan State, no losing seasons, and that glorious run to the title.

But what went into making Carr the right guy for all those years?

“What made Lloyd effective was his ability to communicate,” said Gary Moeller, who hired Carr as an assistant at both Illinois and Michigan. “He was able to develop his own style in dealing with the players. That’s essential for any coach.”

“Coach Schembechler was a great communicator,” Carr said. “I’ve always tried to study and read about the outstanding leaders in business; in the military; in athletics. I was always interested in improving myself.”

Carr, who played baseball and football at Missouri for three years before spending his last year in college at Northern Michigan, credits his first seven years post-college with developing his appetite for knowledge.

“I taught high school English and history,” Carr said. “I learned so many valuable lessons. I made my share of mistakes.”

Referencing Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman isn’t a stretch. No problem to break down the meaning of classic novels. Recite a Rudyard Kipling poem from memory in front of a large audience? No sweat. He can even quote Aristotle’s philosophy of education.

“Education begins with respect for the student,” Carr said. “After I won the Bobby Dodd (Coach of the Year) Award in 2007, I read a book by Bobby Dodd. He stressed that you should never forget the most important thing in the game is the kid who plays the game.

“Young coaches need to understand that. They need to know what it takes to win. They need to know things that will cause you to lose.

“A coach needs to be fundamentally sound; organized; and have a goal every day to get better.”

“Fundamentals were always important to Lloyd,” Moeller said. “Do it over and over and over until it’s perfect. He believed in the ‘Michigan way.’ Call it discipline, whatever. It was a tough program; a physical program; fair.”

Carr ran through his list of college football mentors: Schembechler, Moeller, Bob Sutton (fellow assistant who went on to be the head coach at Army), Bill McCartney (who went on to lead Colorado).

“The guys I worked with and for were all very honest with the players,” Carr said. “They didn’t shade the truth. In my mind, that was a critical part of communication.”

There were dips in the roller coaster that is college football. The 2006 1 vs. 2 showdown with Ohio State in Columbus, which was shrouded by the death of Schembechler, didn’t go well. Nobody will forget the loss to Appalachian State in 2007. Carr finished his career by losing six of his last seven meetings with the Buckeyes.

“I don’t miss the injuries,” Carr said. “I don’t miss the losing. Heck, I don’t miss the winning. I miss the relationships and the competition. That’s what made college football special for me.

“I only planned to be the head coach at Michigan 10 years. I made it 13. I had a great time. I wouldn’t change anything.”

Note: Deion Sanders, one of the cornerstones of this year's College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Class, will not be attending the ceremonies in South Bend next weekend. The former standout two-sport (baseball and football) athlete from Florida State will be attending the opening of one of the charter schools he has helped to develop in the Dallas area. ... This year, unlike past years, there is no golf tournament Friday. Also, there is no parade or Fan Fest Saturday morning.